Lebanon Wild Roots
Date to be confirmed
8 Days
Min 6 max 11
Price follows
The Trip
Lebanon you may know mostly from the news and turmoil. Or from Beirut and the coast. But those who search further will find a very different country. Lebanon is a long table of ethnic and religious mezze with an extremely fascinating cultural history. Inland, mountain dwellers and semi-nomadic communities maintain ancient traditions in a rugged landscape of high plains, ancient cedar forests and mountains that reach as high as over 3,000 meters. Here shepherds still trek with their livestock over mountain passes in search of higher ground.
In search of this country’s wild roots, we set sail for that other Lebanon for an exploration on foot. Equipped with our own camp, we follow ancient trade routes, pilgrim roads and shepherd trails that lead us over mountain passes overlooking valleys and the rural life of Lebanon. Sometimes we pass settlements of mountain villagers and feel as if time has stood still here. We camp in the wild, in remote forests or at simple shepherd camps, under a sky of a million stars.
Through wadis to high mountain pastures, we trek through the unspoiled part of Lebanon and our path crosses that of itinerant farming families, hawkers and game pickers who arrange life according to the rhythm of the seasons. Our journey ends in the Qadicha Valley, a gorge full of monasteries, hermit caves and ancient footpaths. Between these pilgrim paths, we descend to the villages where we are welcomed hospitably, feral and full of new perspectives about Lebanon.
5.0 (60 reviews)
Theme and levels
The theme of this trip is Wild Roots: a trip to a place where nature and culture are inseparable. This trip takes place away from civilization. Amenities are not always nearby during this trip. A good basic condition and experience with hiking in mountainous terrain is desirable for the trip. We will do treks of 5-8 hours per day. Experience with (wild) camping, Wild Human trip is a plus, but not necessary.
Impression
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Experiences
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Practical
Cost
What’s included.
Three nights in a guesthouse, six in wilderness encampments
Breakfast, lunch and evening meals of local food
A local guide
A team of local mountain people, shepherds and donkeys
Rewild Mountain Leader
Use of a Rewild tent
24/7 backup support from the Netherlands
Transport on site
Not included in this price is your flight to and from Beirut, your visa for Lebanon, personal expenses and mountaineering insurance. We recommend taking out this at the NKBV.
Travel guarantee and booking
The departure of this trip is guaranteed from 6 people. A maximum of 11 people can join the trip. This trip is a package tour and in order to comply with the legally required guarantee on package tours, Rewild uses the guarantee of VZR Garant. You can find the conditions of this guarantee scheme on the website of VZR Garant.
Insurance
To participate in Rewild trips, you must be insured for activities in mountainous areas off the beaten track. You can inquire about this with your current insurance company or purchase travel insurance from the Dutch Climbing and Mountaineering Association.
Conditions of participation
By participating in a Rewild trip, you accept the general travel conditions, as found at the bottom of the website. The cancellation policy is also explained here.
Packing List
Travel Program
Day 1
Travel Day
Today we fly to Beirut. Upon arrival, we will travel directly north toward the Akkar region. After a drive of about three hours, we arrive in the village of Andqet, where we are welcomed at a local guesthouse. Here we taste the warm village hospitality for the first time and enjoy a home-cooked meal before spending the night.
Day 2 through 7
On mountain tour
A week of the best of the other Lebanon. Packed and packed with our camping gear in our backpack, we will trek through the mountains as a team with a local guide and walk between 10 and 20 km daily with the necessary altimeters (6-12 hours). The trek leads us over peaks, through cedar forests, across alpine meadows and plateaus. We sleep with local shepherds, bivouac under the stars and pass small mountain villages and settlements. We conclude the trek in the UNESCO-protected Qadicha Valley, past rock monasteries, caves and ancient pilgrim routes, with a special overnight stay and dinner at the serene Kozhaya Monastery.
Day 8
Travel Day
Today we travel to Beirut airport for the return flight. This brings our Lebanon adventure to an end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions about our trips, practicalities or our story? In these frequently asked questions, you’ll find the answers quickly and easily.
How do I book a trip on your website?
Simply find your destination, choose your dates and follow the steps to complete your booking. You will receive the confirmation by e-mail.
Can I cancel or change my booking?
Yes, cancellation is possible according to our terms and conditions: up to 8 weeks before departure you pay only the deposit, after that increasing costs apply up to 100% just before departure.
Do you offer travel insurance?
No, we do not offer travel insurance ourselves. We recommend mountaineering insurance through the NKBV.
Are there any hidden fees or service charges?
No, there are no hidden costs. All unavoidable additional costs are clearly stated in advance in the travel price.
Do you also rent equipment or materials?
Yes, some of the required equipment is available for rent on our trips. We offer these rental options during the booking process. There you can see exactly what gear is available and add it directly to your booking. That way you don’t have to arrange this separately in advance.
What payment methods do you accept?
You can pay with us easily and safely via iDEAL and Bancontact. It is also possible to pay by bank transfer. All payments go through our secure booking system Bookinglayer.
